My Marlin 1894 .44 magnum

My Marlin 1894 .44 magnum

by Daryl Turner
(Pink Hill N.C.)

A few of my lever actions the 1894 is pictured at the bottom

One of my favorite survival rifles is the lever action Marlin 1894 in .44 magnum. It holds 11 rounds of ammunition. The Marlin 1894 comes with ballard rifling which gives the option of shooting much cheaper lead ammunition which you can cast yourself and save a good deal of money. The Marlin 1894 also gives the survivalist the option of having a handgun in the same caliber as his rifle. The Marlin is a tried and true action that will give a lifetime of trouble free service. The .44 magnum is a fine caliber for deer, bear and hogs. I keep mine loaded with Winchester silvertip hollow points. I have added a sling along with a Tasco Red dot scope for rapid accurate shooting. The Marlin does not draw unwanted attention like military style rifle do and that can be a big plus these days.

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My Marlin 1894 .44 magnum

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Dec 19, 2011
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I love my 44 mag
by: Anonymous

I got my 44 marlin mag many many years ago from my dad, it was a chrismas preasent.The best chrismas I ever had.He led me on a wild goose chase all over the house.I have used my 44 every year,I have gone hunting.I have shot many deer with my riffle.The only problem that I have had is once in a while.When unloading the gun it, jams on me.Causing my day of hunting with the gun to be over.

Dec 18, 2011
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Thoughts from a hunter not a paperplugger
by: Anonymous

I keep reading all the hub bub from those that are wondering what bullet to shoot deer/hogs with from a Marlin 1894 44 mag. Answer: Get the 240 gr and don't look back. The 240 gr bullet "fits" a 44 mag carbine like the right sized glove fits your hand. I like good ammo and can reload if I want to but with Winchester White Box ( 240 JSP )around I don't feel a need to. It is good,accurate,economical ammunition.I also shoot Remington brand (green/yellow box) , Hornadys, American Eagle and PMC which are all 240 gr off the shelf ammo. They are all pretty good but I have just shot far more game with the White Box 240s. Went completely thru a bull elk and made an exit wound that is hard to believe unless you were there and saw it. Other game that has fallen to this Marlin 1894 44 mag w/ WWB 240s include but are not limited to Aoudad, Mule deer, Whitetail Deer, mountain lion and the mother load of wild hogs. Some of them were hugh, large, big boars with their adrenaline on high fighting a set of hog dogs and down they go with one shot. Dog catching days over. Did play with some 200s and 225s for a short time but got rid of them pretty quick. I would use a 240 gr for whatever serious situation I was going into and not be concerned one bit. If you want better penetration use JSP if you don't care use a HP. They each have their place.

Oct 27, 2011
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Love the Marlin Cowboy!
by: High Country

I broke down and bought a 20" Marlin Cowboy model in .44 that is absolutely wonderful for all day carry after reading the comments here. I paired it up with an old Ruger Blackhawk in .44 that my Dad gave me years ago and they are my only 2 firearms.

Shells that fit either firearm makes it handy to feed them. I can find ammunition for them at most any store I may stop by that sells ammo. To me, they make a perfect survival pair.

Oct 27, 2011
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1894M
by: sean

Swampyankee, if you ever want to sell your 1894M let me know, I'd be very interested, email me at thephatboi at hotmail.com. I love my 1894 357 mag. and have a ruger security 6 to match it, a super nice combo, no problems, nothing but reliability and fun.

Sep 28, 2011
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Bisley!
by: Anonymous

I would go with a Bisley, if it were me. I have just about all Rugers models offered including the Redhawk and Bisley and the Bisley is fantastic for heavier loads during recoil. The Redhawk is great too, but so is the Bisley. Which ever one fits your hand best. 99% of my shooting is with 44 rifle/pistol combo's and that consistant of tens of thousands of rounds per year. I can't compliment you enough on your own choices.

And THANK YOU for your service to this country. W

Sep 28, 2011
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Marlin 1894 for my morale
by: Anonymous

Thank you all for the good reading. It boosted my morale. I am a proud owner of a 1894/44... and needless to say I miss my gun. Easy to carry, handy shootin', loads of fun to swing that lever. I can't wait to get a handgun when I get back home after this deployment (AFG)... Bisley or Redhawk??? Thank you all for this good ole morale boost as I am down-range.

Apr 05, 2011
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loafing
by: Woods Loafter

I spend waaaaay too much time bumming around the woods, always with a pistol on my gunbelt and a rifle in my hand. The rifle is most always a Marlin in .44 mag/special.

A small daypack with a lunch and thermos of coffee, extra socks, a few extra shells and a packrod along with some basic fishing gear and I'm ready for a days excursion! During the summer time I'll use .44 special shells which will handle about anything I run across and is especially handy for plinking. During grouse season they are accurate enough to shoot the heads off.

During season I'll carry heavier .44 mag ammo and it is plenty to anchor deer or bear. On my gunbelt I'll have an extra 6 rounds for my .44 special revolver I carry which can be slipped directly into the chamber should I run across small game I want to take, also an extra 12 rounds of .44 mag should I need more than what I am carrying in my rifle.

Mar 25, 2011
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skinner on 1894
by: Swampyankee

I was looking at the compactness and streamlined look of it on the marlins.

Mar 25, 2011
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Sights
by: Deep Woods

Swampyankee, Skinner sights are good and I've had them. But it is sooo much simpler (and cheaper) to go with a Williams or Lyman receiver sight and simply leave the front bead is. Now days I must have 20 rifles with Lyman or Williams receivers sights and none with Skinners.

Mar 25, 2011
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1894
by: Swampyankee

I am in the market for a .44 mag 1894. Currently have the 1894M in .22 mag. It has a 4X weaver on it. I think the .44 when it arrives will get a Skinner peep. One of the best carrying guns I have ever owned.

Mar 18, 2011
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30.30 marlin 94
by: XD

i like the 30.30 model of this gun it fits me, at cabelas i saw a 30.30 94 whinchester wit some sweet ingraving down the barral and on the receiver but the only downside is that the whinchester 94 is top ejection and there is no safty on alot of them but the 94 was a great gun

Oct 02, 2010
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Not for sale or trade
by: Anonymous

I have had a Marlin 1894 44 mag since December 1970. I had hog dogs for over 30 years and that gun killed the biggest percentage of them. Those big boars drop like a rock.
In addition to no telling how many hogs, I've killed quite a few whitetail bucks w/ it. Hunts over when you pull the trigger.
Last year I got a New Mexico mule deer w/ it and last week I killed a big bull elk w/ it. Shot completely thru him. Shoulder thru shoulder.
Exit wound was almost as big as your fist. Winchester White Box 240 gr JSP.
It's accurate and will shoot alot futher than people think. 200 yards is not a problem if you know your gun. The caliber is certainly capable of it. Mine is not for sale or trade.

May 03, 2010
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Love Marlin the Cowboy model!
by: Deep Woods

A 44 Marlin is a great survival piece! I went with a 24" Cowboy model (octagon barrel) and put a 2-7X Leupold for my dark woods elk hunting rifle. A 260gr cast bullet (I cast my own) and 23 grains of W296 gives me about 1800fps and does very well on elk.

The second Marlin Cowboy is also a 24" version but I have it loaded with a little lighter load. A 255gr SWC and 10grs of Unique gives me 1400fps and is my deer rifle. A Williams receiver sight makes it a very handy rifle to pack all day in the woods. With this rifle and load I've put 10 shots into the same ragged hole at 50 yards.

The 3rd Marlin Cowboy is a 20" version. This is my summer time hikin' rifle. A very light load, the same I carry in my .44 special revolver, 44 special case, 255gr SWC and 7 1/2 grains of Unique give me about 1250fps from the rifle and tiny groups at 75 yards using the same sort of Williams receiver sight as the 24" version. This is also my home defense rifle and sits by the bed ready to go.

Buy a Marlin. You can't go wrong!

May 02, 2010
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My 44
by: Anonymous

I have 1970 44.Marlin it is a Ann,vers I got in 1970 i have kill alot big game whit this 44 it is sweet if no will that all for now p/j

Dec 18, 2009
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I am right there with ya on the 1894 44 Mag
by: TUK101

I have the same rifle in about the 1980 variety. I don't have the pistol yet, but that it next on the list. I have hunted with the 30-30 for years, and although it is easier to me to shoot a longer distances, the knockdown power of the 44 combined with light recoil have got me sold. I load my own too and so far am liking the 240gr rnfp bullets with 23gr of H110. I like the fact that this rifle is very cheap to shoot with either self casted lead bullets or a box of 200 for less than $30.

Aug 01, 2009
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Ah ... Yes , The Old 1894 Marlin in 44 Magnum...
by: Dave Oldham

Well Daryl , I agree 110% with you my Friend . I also own one of the 1894`s in a S/S.44 Magnum Rifle With the 20 in. barrel,with Ballard Rifleing in a 6 1/5 lb. I have mine scoped with a 2X7X28mm Low Mount forward~XL scope base so it`s forward away from the Hammer.... (easyer to cock the hammer) A Light LB.Fast Action rifle slung up wards across your back in the wilderness is about as good as one can get I think. The mussel blast in the Rifle is about 1/2 as a 6 in. 44 Mag pistol.... Really Nothing to over come , like that of the pistol. I , like you , I`m sure ,..... Know what THAT" rifle is capabel of doing, such as, Delivering 10 VERY" FAST Shot`s in Less Than 1-min...... Much Faster than ANY" bolt action rifle ever made . I load my own ammo for the rifle using a Jacked Flat Point 265 Gr. bullet & launch it @ about 1650 Feet Per Sec.,out of the rifle giving it a HUGE" Amount of knock down power @ a 100 yards or so , and TWICE" The knock down power @ About 50 Yards. You won`t need anything else, I tell all of them That" I don`t need to tell You also Daryl " , that Nothing in the North American wilderness can servive , one of those well placed round`s with in that range ..... Man OR Beast".... Including The All Mighty Grizzy Bear" That Will Slap All The Ass Off Of Ya If He Get`s A Chance ! I also don`t need to tell You"....The 44 Magnum 265 Gr,Hornday Bullet in the little Marlin Rifle , is a WELL Proven , Dockumented servival Or Hunting Round in the North American wilderness, yes including the ole grizz. There`s Bigger,better weapons that shoot farther, to dispach Ole Grizz out here on the market, but for the servival weapon, the 44 Magnum Round Will More Than Do The Job for you. I , My self, also carry a Stainless Steel~Ruger~Vaquero 5 1/2 in. Barreled Piston Chambered in the 44 Mag round.... Using the Same loads in it also for Close incounters ,of the 3rd. kind, although , I`ve never had to get that close to one yet", to what ever, Man or beast, using the little Mag Rifle with in 200 yards or less, but the Vaquero is alway in the holster , in case the need come`s up, along with the 12 in. Bowie Knife hanging on me, and a 4 in skinner incase I get hunger :>) I once shot a 480 lb. hog in the head @ about 75 feet with the little 44 marlin rifle using a 300 Gr,FLP Bullet, and it spund him around like a tornado and tore the head have into. That shot caused two of my friends with me, carrying bolt gun`s, to go out and buy them self the same little 6 1/2 lb.1894 Marlin Rifle I used to kill that hog, and Two other one`s on the same night..... Say Thank you, Marlin People :) Hang in there Daryl..... You and I and 2~ Other`s I Know, Have The Right Servival Weapons.... Dave Oldham, Mesquite, Texas

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My Marlin 1894 .44 magnum

Comments for My Marlin 1894 .44 magnum

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My Marlin 1894 .44 magnum